Biggest Rivalries in Present Day Boxing. Do you agree?

Joe Frazier once said of Muhammad Ali: “It’s real hatred. I don’t want to knock him out. I want to hurt him. If I knock him down, I’ll stand back, give him a chance to breathe. It’s his heart I want.”

Rivalries in the sweet science have been synonymous with what makes the sport great, going all the way back to Sugar Ray Robinson’s battles with Jake La Motta and beyond.

In some cases the fighters personally disliked one another and other times it was the magnitude of the sporting event that created competition. But its a combination of both which produces the fights we will never forget. Consider Eubank and Benn, Hagler and Hearns, and of course, Ali and Frazier.

Boxing isn’t as romanticized as the days of the 20th Century pugilists. But rivalries still exist, some form because both boxers are the best in their division and others are sparked when fighters feel nothing but disdain for one another.

1. Golovkin and Álvarez

Image Source: FightSaga.com

Many illustrious middleweight title bouts have been written into history and this potential fight would add to that prestigious list.

Boxing’s Golden Boy, the one tipped to replace Floyd Mayweather, up against the most feared knock out artist in the world.

Gennady Golovkin has reiterated his desire to become the unified middleweight champion and he believes that beating Canelo Álvarez is the next step to achieving that.

It’s being billed as the biggest fight in boxing, but for me, GGG has the ability to make it a one sided blow out, especially after watching Canelo’s one dimensional display against Miguel Cotto in November.

2. Brook and Khan

These are the two fastest British welterweights and a clash of their rapid hand speed would make for an electrifying encounter.

Image Source: SkySports.com

Kell Brook (IBF) and Amir Khan are being linked with a summer showdown in Wembley, London. 80,000 raucous spectators would demonstrate that the allure of boxing is still prevalent in Britain.

Khan famously craved a night in the ring with either Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao. Now that dream has been deemed improbable, his best option career wise and financially would be a world title bout with Brook in Wembley.

3. Fury and Wilder

Image Source: DailyMail.co.uk

On 28th November 2015, Tyson Fury altered heavyweight boxing and ended Wladimir Klitschko’s decade of dominance of the most famous title of all.

But the moment his hand was raised in Germany, one man reached for his phone in America, too call out the new champ.

Deontay Wilder (WBC) tweeted: “I see you Tyson Fury #imcomingforyou”

If Fury overcomes Klitschko for a second time and Wilder defeats Artur Szpilka in January, it would set up a rare heavyweight unification fight.

The trash talking that has ensued between the two outspoken characters is more on the side of banter than spiteful animosity. But those two giants in the same ring would be an appealing prospect.

4. Frampton and Quigg

This contest is already a reality and is due to take place on 27th February at the Manchester Arena.

A meeting of these two dangerous fighters has been rumored for years. And the antagonism isn’t just between the men who will be throwing the punches. The promoters, Barry McGuigan and Eddie Hearn, won’t be sending each other Christmas cards, and trainers Shane McGuigan and Joe Gallager aren’t the best of buddies either.

The engagement between the champions, who are both world class, along with the tension between the camps, should result in a thrilling occasion.